Baylor University released a study in which they found that 92% of Americans believe in God, but that we hold "four distinct views of God's personality and engagement in human affairs. These Four Gods — are dubbed by researchers as Authoritarian, Benevolent, Critical or Distant." These views of God reveal much about our social, moral and political views and personal piety.
About 32% see God as Authoritarian, directing the affairs of the world and ready to bring his judgment on the ungodly. As you might imagine, those who primarily view God in that manner, generally hold very conservative political and absolute moral positions.
Another 24% believe that He is a Benevolent God, forgiving, best described by Jesus' story of the waiting father who welcomes home his wayward son. A Benevolent God sets absolute standards for mankind in the Bible.
16% believe that He is a a Critical God who keeps His eye on the world. But, they do not think He gets involved. It is a paradox that those who believe in a Critical God believe that He holds humanity to account, but they tend not to pray or think to turn to Him in time of need.
And about 25% of Americans have adopted a view similar to that of the Deists of two centuries ago, believing in a Distant God, Who, they believe, got things started here on earth and then removed Himself from the picture. Those who think God is distant tend to moral relativism and generally hold the most liberal social views.
The results of this study are not surprising. From it we see that people tend to 'create God in their own image and likeness,' to misuse a Scriptural quote. Instead of going to the Bible and waiting on the Spirit to reveal the fullness of God, many of us tend only to see the God we want, or the face of God that was painted for us by parents or spiritual leaders in our formative years. We also tend more to define God by our experience, rather than by intelligent thought. It is important to know God; that is, to invite Him to be a part of lives and to be open to experiencing His Presence. However, and this is important, if we have only our personal experience to define God, we will not truly know Him! Experience will color our perception of God, depending on several factors, including our spiritual maturity and the circumstances of our lives. To know Him best, we must also know Him from the pages of the Scripture, where He reveals Himself in His fullness. And, that means we study the whole of the Bible to learn Who He truly is. If our only revelation of God was drawn from the Pentateuch, the Law of Moses, He will be seen quite differently than if we only viewed Him through the four Gospels! God is a Person, an active, living, purposeful Being who is not one-dimensional. He is loving and capable of anger, accepting and judging, kind and stern - a perfect Father!
Theology is not a dry pursuit, peripheral to real life, as some would think. Theology, the study of God, is important to us, for how we perceive Him, has a definite impact on the way we live in our day to day world!
Here's a word from the Word. Let it sink into your mind and heart today. As you read it, note the many facets of the Person of God and especially take note of the last sentence!
"... the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment.
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. " (Psalm 9:7-10, NKJV)
No comments:
Post a Comment